BT U19 WC Final

In an historical event in BT, today’s final marks the first time that both India and West Indies have each made it to the end match, and for India, this was their first final of any World Cup.

Matches between these two teams have always been close, even going to the last ball to decide the winner. Over the last two seasons however, West Indies have an advantage of 2-1 over India.

India won the toss in the final on a dusty pitch at Cherry boiz CG and chose to bowl. West Indies lost Clamp and Cherubin early but then Day and Ramnarais put on 65 for the third wicket. With two quick wickets, India were looking good on the field, but it was the 5th wicket partnership between Ramnarais and Warrican that gave the innings some impetus. Ramnarais was the feature of the innings with excellent running between the wickets. West Indies went on to make a very good total of 257 for 5.

In reply India’s openers, Kanojiya and Sivaprasad put on 115 before India saw wickets tumble before them. Great bowling from the West Indies bowlers kept India at bay, forcing the batsmen to take chances. The target was just too much and De Groot finished off the tail, bowling out India for 197 in 45 overs. De Groot and Thorp both took 3 wickets to end a well paced victory for West Indies.

Congratulations to West Indies and their manager Windies.
*Season 12 Under 19 World Cup Winners*

Aus to trial Twenty20 rugby

Article from : Stuff.co.nz

Rugby’s version of cricket’s Twenty20 – in which players leave the field during a game to create space and attacking opportunities – will be trialled soon at Sydney club level.

Former Australian and NSW Rugby Union chairman Dilip Kumar is pushing the proposal and is organising two high-profile Sydney premiership clubs to play a trial of what has been termed Rugby’s 20-13 in August, during the bye weekend in the Shute Shield competition. In the game, two players from each team would be excluded for a 20-minute period in each half.

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones originally threw up the idea, as a 20-12 game, in a Brisbane newspaper column a few weeks ago where he explained that rugby spectators were desperate for a “quick fix similar to Twenty20 in cricket”.

“If you remember any game when two players have been sent to the sin bin from one team, the amount of space available to the non-offending team is immense,” Jones wrote.

“With one more body off, players would have more time and space to operate in attack, but in a structure that resembles a game of XVs. I’d still operate scrums and lineouts.

“Think of it 40 minutes of non-stop, fluid attack, two games at the one ground. Spectators would flock.”

Kumar thought the idea had great merit and immediately contacted other officials to see if there was any interest in it. He received a strong response, with many complaining how the code had become defence-orientated and that attacking football had been stifled through lack of space. He then contacted club officials to organise a game, from which all proceeds will go to a charity.

It will still need some tinkering. Interest was higher in the 20-13 idea, with two rather than three players leaving the field for 20-minute stretches each half.

“I think it is a brilliant idea, and well worth a trial to see if it actually works,” Kumar said yesterday.

“What we are thinking of doing during the trial match is even having power-plays, where the captain of each team decides on the field when exactly they play the 20 minutes per half with two less players.

“People are looking at change, and keep harking back to the last World Cup final in 2007 where no tries were scored. Why not attempt to make the game more entertaining by enticing teams to attack and score tries.”

U19 World Cup Semi-Finals Report

This World Cup has continued the run of amazing matches and the semi-finals certainly did nothing to let the fans down. After two gripping matches, we now have our finalists. 

 

In the first semi-final, undefeated Pakistan took on India. After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the openers struggled to find their feet and soon Pakistan found themselves at 85/4. Ishaq came in to steady the ship and set a very solid platform for Pakistan to reach 246 from their 50 overs. India came out to bat with an early wicket giving Pakistan hope. Kanojiya and Bokhle set up a great partnership to stay on top and reach the target with 2 wickets remaining. India brought Pakistan’s unbeaten run to an abrupt end, although a few extra runs and it could have gone the other way. 

In the second game, Australia lost the toss and the West Indies had no hesitation in sending them into bat. Three quick wickets saw Australia in dire straights. Moloto and Everton tried their best to salvage the cause but West Indies kept up the pressure by taking a steady stream of wickets. All Rounder Harley had the difficult task of trying keep the strike and get a decent total to defend for Australia.
West Indies came out to bat, knowing a win was possible against this total and despite a very early wicket, looked on track to chase down the total. Clamp and Cherubin chased hard building a huge 3rd wicket partnership to help West Indies send Australia packing. Manager Windies. was elated in stopping Butters in his tracks and miss out on a Wold Cup glory.

That leaves India taking on West Indies in the Under 19 World Cup Final, whileAustralia face Pakistan for 3rd spot.

Season 12 Under 19 World Cup

The final stages of the U19 World Cup for Season 12 is commencing tomorrow in the host country Sri Lanka. This season saw a change to previous formats, with no Group stages, but rather a straight knock-out to the Semi’s, despite some gatherings of protesters outside BT headquarters to rectify this decision. Regardless of the format, current holders Pakistan, still on an unbeaten run, will try their best to defend their title. 

he local groundsmen also tried to remonstrate their disapointment and put up an initial strike, but this was soon ended with some gentle persuasion by their chief groundsman and union rep and the dusty pitches have now been prepared.

In the first of the semi-finals, undefeated Pakistan, led by Altamash, will be taking onMegastar’s India who only won 3 games and narrowly made it into the match.

The second semi-final match sees Butters, in his second campaign for Australia, try and beat Windies.‘ West Indies side for the second time this season and get into the final.

The 5^th vs 6^th play-off is a clash of the southern hemisphere between scienide’sSouth Africa, and New Zealand with their recently appointed manager Shockwave.

Fighting to avoid last place in the 7^th vs 8^th play-off, England take on hosts Sri Lanka. Freaky may have set orders for England, but Sri Lanka fans are wondering if their manager whambo will be around to set theirs.

Can Pakistan be the first to make it two in a row? Will they be stopped?

Tune in to BT at 05:30 BT time on May 26^th to find out!

Microsoft Office 2010 – TECHNICAL PREVIEW

Microsoft Office 2010 (previously referred to by its codename Office 14- skipping 13 for superstitious reseason) is the next version of the Microsoft Office productivity suite for Microsoft Windows.
Office 2010 will implement the Office Open XML which was standardized as ISO 29500 in March 2008. Microsoft plans to offer a Web-based version of its Office productivity suite, known as Office Web, that will debut with the release of Office 2010. (same as google docs)

The next versions of Microsoft Office Visio, OneNote, Microsoft Office Project, and Publisher will feature the ribbon interface element used in other Office 2007 applications . In addition to learning that Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 will be ready by the end of the year (i am already testing Windows 7),  TechEd 2009 attendees have also been automatically placed in the invitation-only Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview program.

 

 

 

As you can see, some applications have changed a lot more than others. The ribbon seems to be on every application now, which is great for consistency’s sake. The splashscreen you see for every application is actually animated, which is why the colours at the bottom will look slightly different from screenshot to screenshot. The biggest change, in my opinion, is that the no file/orb menu is no longer a menu. When you click the colored office button, you get a screen that is shown in the second screenshot for each application.

http://rapidshare.com/files/233623913/Office_Professional_Plus_2010_X86_English.part1.rar 
http://rapidshare.com/files/233624457/Office_Professional_Plus_2010_X86_English.part2.rar 
http://rapidshare.com/files/233644742/Office_Professional_Plus_2010_X86_English.part3.rar 
http://rapidshare.com/files/233612421/Office_Professional_Plus_2010_X86_English.part4.rar 

Final week of Super 14

Wow

It is the final round already of this years Super 14. With so many teams still in the running for the final spots it makes it probably the most exciting Super Tournament ever.
Also with all the talk about SA leaving Super rugby, i am sure put more pressure on it all.

(Well we staying for now )

The Sharks vvs Bulls game will be one of the must watch games!!!
I will be watching in HD.

So my predictions….

Chiefs vs Brumbies
Chiefs by 18

Lions vs Waratahs
Waratahs by 9

Blues vs Crusaders
Blues by 4
*let the blues perform now and not in the semi’s *

Reds vs Hurricanes
Hurricanes by 15

Western Force vs Highlanders
Force by 22

Cheetahs vs Stormers
Stormers by 4
*will go with my team – they playd well last week!*

Sharks vs Bulls
Sharks by 2
*as they need to win it!*

ELV’s???

Reffed my 4th game of the month and this time it was under the lights at our town’s stadium. Even though i cave long arm penalties the teams still took them as short arm…. 
The IRB today approved 10 of the 13 global ELV’s for adoption into the Laws of the Game on May 23.

 

ELVs adopted into Law: 

Law 6 – Assistant Referees able to assist Referees in any way the Referee requires.
Law 19 – If a team puts the ball back in their own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch there is no gain in ground.
Law 19 – A quick throw may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team’s goal line.
Law 19 – The receiver at the lineout must be two metres back away from the lineout. 
Law 19 – The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball must stand in the area between the five metre line and touch line and must be two metres from the line of touch and at least two metres from the lineout. 
Law 19 – Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in. 
Law 19 – The lifting of lineout jumpers is permitted.
Law 20 – Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the Scrum.
Law 20 – Scrum half offside line at the Scrum.
Law 20 – The corner posts are no longer considered to be touch in goal except when the ball is grounded against the post. 

Union-specific ELVs approved by Council: 

1. Unions may implement rolling substitutions at defined levels of the Game.
2. Union having jurisdiction over a Game may implement a half time interval of not more than 15 minutes, but not at international level.
3. A Union may implement the Under 19 Scrum Law Variation at a defined level of the Game under its jurisdiction.

HD PVR: Update (May)

Looks like DSTV has been working hard behind the scenes. It is the 6th month that we have had the HD PVR and with me being technical minded i have lived with the flaws of the system. But the missus and sure loads of people in SA, I am sure it has been a frustrating nightmare!!!

So from the DSTV forums.
How to check and upgrade your system:
Updated software for the HD PVR was released 7 May 2009.

Quick check : while watching a video channel, press OK to display DStv touch. If the DStv touch menu includes News & Weather, your HD PVR decoder has the latest software.

To check software versions:
* Press MENU to go to the Decoder Menu
* Select Information Central
* Select Hardware Status
* You are now on the DSD Status screen
* Take note of the value on the 6th line (Appl SW). The latest version as @ 7 May is 1.14.1.114

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Press the right arrow twice to go to the Loader Status screen.
* Take note of the value on the 3rd line (Load Ver/Var). The latest version as @ 7 May is 13 / 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To download the latest software, please follow the steps below:
* Reboot the decoder. Wait for full video & audio to resume.
* Press MENU to go to the Decoder Menu.
* Select Advanced Options.
* Enter 9949.
* Select DSD Upgrade.
* Wait for the RED button to appear, then press RED and follow the onscreen instructions.
* Warning! Do not interrupt the download process (which could take up to 40 minutes) and wait for full video & audio to resume.

So what’s different in this updated software (released 7 May)?
* Vastly improved recording reliability
* Improved loading times for TV Guide data
* Faster response times when changing channels
* Addition of News24 and Weather24 interactive services
* Improved “trick mode” (when using PAUSE, FFWD, REW)
* Improved response to commands from the remote control
* Issues with audio loss mostly resolved (this was not observed during extensive testing)
* Improved HDMI stability (i.e. black screens during viewing)
* Stutter on SD channels (via HDMI) improved
* Improved SD video quality on all outputs
* Tuner 2 & 3 status screens (Decoder Menu, Information Central, Signal Status) now indicate if a recording is not in progress, ie. reason for no signal strength.
* Decreased observation of “frozen i-Plate” (this was were the i-plate displayed past events and did not update to display the current event)
* Decoder completely re-initialises after being in standby (previous software still had reports of this error, however this has not been observed in extensive testing.)

What else do you need to know?
* The use of any interactive service will clear the buffer.
* Exiting an interactive service always returns you to the “All Channels” environment.
* Audio loss on coming out of standby – we have had a few reports of this. It is resolved by changing channel.
* Audio glitches – we have had reports and observations of audio glitches after a FFWD or REW as well as when changing audio options. This however seems to be limited to certain brands of equipment (reciever/amps) used as not all customers observe this issue.
* Signal not found – some customers report this error after a reboot (low incidence rate).
* To resolve, go to Decoder Menu, select Advanced Options, enter 9949, select Network Set-up and press BLUE to “scan this network”.
* Duplicate channel 200 – some customers may need to initialise a rescan to remove the duplicate channels.
* Recordings not being listed in the Playlist – this has been observed only when 2 recordings end at exactly the same time. These recordings do however appear when the decoder is rebooted. There is an extremely low incidence on this issue and it is not consistently reproducable across all decoders.
* Reminders block recordings – We have had reports where a recording has failed when it is due to start exactly at the same time as a reminder has fired. There is an extremely low incidence on this issue and it is not consistently reproducable across all decoders.
* Multi Unit Dwelling is still not officially supported.

Battrick: SA U19 vs Eng U19

Today the South African Cricket Board Manager, Scienide unveiled the revamp itinerary at Newlands Cricket Grounds for the upcoming match against England.

Welcome to Super Sport and we have got news about the telecasting rights for the upcoming match and we are happy to announce that we, Super Sport have won the telecasting rights for the England-South Africa match. The match will be shown live on the 04th of May 2009 at 10:30 BT time.

Team Announcement 

South African’s land in England

Welcome back to Super Sport and we are bringing you the details of the squad which arrived in England this morning. After a long break the selection of the South African team was done for the match next week. The 15 member squad is still under a selection process by the selecting committee and open to discussion on the SAFE and offsite forum. Players will be chosen on the merits of their recent performances in International and Domestic level.

“This is going to be a very tough and challenging match. Its going to be difficult to beat England but not impossible as we know that they can be beaten and we saw it against the Indians. We are confident on our abilities and we will give our best shot.” Both the coach and skipper expressed their confidence on the team and the players and lets see what happens but we can assure you this to be a thrilling and a fascinating match.

England in the nets

Welcome back to Super sport, today the English were found training hard in the nets. The starting team hasn’t been decided yet and will be decided on the match day.

 

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Continued

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	Hello and welcome , from me Geoffrey Boycott, to “The BT Cricket Show” where we, my guests and I will be previewing the match between England and South Africa live from The Oval, England. This is the first episode of this show and we hope with viewers help we will make this show one of the BT Shows to watch!With me today I have Robin Jackman and Tony Cozier. First to you Tony,a very important match for England as they are way down the log with South Africa and having a few problems!
	Yes, this match is going to very important for the English because they didn’t produced good cricket against India and many question were raised. But I feel the best way to answer them is winning the match against South Africa. Its going to be tough no doubt of it as the South Africans are a good side
	England surely have lots of things to prove but no doubt the South Africans will give them a very tough time. I agree it will be difficult to beat England but South Africa are in good form and haven’t lost the last 2 games, so that makes things more exciting. There is also that possible Semi final spot that they will be eying out!
	With the matches we will have different things happening. A prediction competition was successfully ran by sunrider and we are sure their will be many more! Maybe we could integrate that with this show. But for today we thought of a quick and easy contest for our viewers.  Predict the question: Q1:Who will win the toss? a)England b)South Africa   Q2:How many wickets will fall? a)0-5 b)6-12 c)13-20
	Stay Tuned as we return we will have the weather and pitch report along with the all important toss.